My biggest advantage is the unknown factor, in which they don't know what I was capable off.
Techically, that surve both way, since I also don't know what my opponent can do.
So, the correct way to win this match is to ended it quickly so that my opponent cannot pull all their cards.
As soon as the match begin I leap backward standing at the edge of the arena.
'Let see what my opponent first move is'
Seeing me putting the distance, my opponent grips the handle of the axe very thighly. To the point of it letting out a sound that feels like rope being pulls.
His body is ammeting steam and his skin turn almost bright red.
'Blood rush'
And just as expected, my opponent didn't rush to use a distance attack. Instead focus in what he already good at.
I'm not that worry though, because to end something, doesn't always require a fancy move but a percise one.
My opponent then rush forward closing the gap in no time.
As he bring the axe up, I take one small step to the side just enought to move away from the axe trajectory.
But it not the only thing I should be worry about.
before the axe even reached the ground, I had already flipped myself up into the air, avoiding the aftershock that came as the axe slam hard on the ground.
I land squarely at the other edge of the axe.
Balancing on top just enough to see the shock expression of my opponent up close.
'Oh, you know you are done didn't you'
Bringing my right hand up, my five fingers stretched wide and with it, I brought it across my opponent neck.
The gruesome sound of flesh being torn ring the entire arena.
I landed to the side after my attack connect.
My opponent slowly topple away from his weapon, holding unto his neck.
But it didn't exactly help as a massive burst of blood pour out from it.
It seems 'blood rush' did you a favour today by making your end a quick one. Such death will usually take a bit longer to come.
The crowd fell into dead silence, as my opponent's body collapses, covered in its own pool of blood.
My eyes turn toward my hand, seemingly soaked in the red liquid. Rubbing my finger together, I could feels its texture.
I am not proud of my victory, nor do I really care about getting my hand dirty. It all for the sake of finding the curse lady, and it will only get harder from here.
Especially, revealing what I can do, it expose the unknown factor which is my greatest advantage coming to this tournament.
Regardless, I just had to try harder.
And so I did.
Match after match, opponent after opponent.
I kept on fighting, sustaining quite the injuries every match.
Yet it doesn't matter because I still win in the end. Every battle was a hard fought, specially against those who use distance attack. Some even had a very great close combat ability.
They all worth the praise from the spectator.
'Too bad they had to face me.'
But I couldn't say the same for my last opponent.
The most trouble some individual I had to face was on my last match.
One match a way from me reaching my goal.
This time around, I really cannot take thing lightly. I had watch his matches and to summarise it, this man actually posses the skill and the ability to out do me in battle.
It scary to think that this might be the first time in a very long time, that I had to take a battle so seriously.
'My life and goal is on the line. Don't fail yourself yet'
Stepping unto the arena for one last time. My opponent was there on the opposite site waiting for my arrival.
Equip with a bow, quiver of arrows and a long sword on his waist. It seems like he is more than prepare to face me.
With the loud cheering on the background the last battle begin.
As soon as the battle start, two arrow already flying at me from different direction.
From what I had observed, this person is dangerest because he utilising three things in battle.
First, is his flawless aim and quick bow draw. Which probably my biggest disadvantage.
Second is his great sword play. He knew when to use the long sword when it needed.
And the last, is his use of 'ripetide' to reposition himself by riding the wave and making the floor slippery.
This combination what make him such a deathly opponent to face again.
Hence why, I didn't dodge the arrow heading toward me.
Using both of my hand I catches the incoming arrows and breaking them on the spot.
The first thing I want to do, is taking out his main advantage against me.
Since the ground is slippery, I also want to limit my movement.
It didn't take long for him to caught up with my plan.
'All to be expected.'
Riding the wave, he switches to his long sword.
One wrong dodge or parry by me will mean certain death. I had seen how sharp the sword can cut, aspecially with the speed of which he was moving. It is not something I want to try and take.
To simplfied thing, this last match is really just an endurance battle.
Using that much water magic will certainly cause exaustion as some point. I just had to endure any attack throw at me.
As long as he doesn't have a big attack that is.
Base of all the previous match I had saw, he doesn't have one or had not use one yet.
So, by this point one might thing the battle is easily winnable.
'If only, it was that simple.'
This person proficiency in switching from one weapon to the other, is honestly top-notch.
Every arrow I fail to catch, he easily retrive them back. Every time he get on my blind spot, even for a moment he manage to switch his attack on me.
Althought I manage to survive throught it all up until that point of time, I cannot keep on taking this cheap damage because things really start to pile up.
'Endure. All I had is to endure, just a bit longer'
As time ticking, I continue observing his wave.
Waiting for just one moment. One moment that I can use to turn thing around.
My opponent aim the last arrow on me and at last I see the moment I been waiting for.
The wave is becoming smaller.
And I didn't waste this opportunity. I dash forward heading straight on his line of sight.
Almost at the same time the bow release it last shot, aiming straight for my head.
But I already anticipated that. Catching the arrow just short off my head.
Snapping it in half, I can finally said we are on equal term at the very moment.
Or so I thought.
As I was rushing in, the wave had already dissapear completely.
No, not just the wave but every drop of water on the ground had disspear. It seems I had make an error in my judgement.
By the time I almost reach him. He summon one massive 'ripetide' pushing me away with a great force.
Caught in the wave I was left disoriented just for a second.
But that one second is enought for him to lauch one last attack.
Opening my eyes, just for a glimpse I saw him pulling his bow back.
Do he have a secret arrow that I didn't saw?
The realisation come much later than I thought.
No, the arrow is the long sword itself.
He knew I am way to dangerest to be fought up close. That why he kept all the distance from the very beginning.
"Well, played"
The long sword was lauch from the bow and heading straight to my direction.
Well, it certainly doesn't carry the same amount of force an arrow can, but with a percise shot it can easily pierce someone.
So, am I dead?
Not really. Not at all.
Rising my left arm up I use my own arm to block the sword from coming straight to my neck.
The sword certain pierce my arm... But atleast it save me from a fatal shot.
Taking a breathing, my eyes turn toward my opponent.
My left arm is spewing blood like a river, dripping unto my finger tip before droping down the floor.
"You really put everything in that shot. I am impress. It been a long time since I feels such pain."
My opponent is still there, beside being exhausted from using magic. He body is still in very good condition.
"I know this battle isn't over, because both of use still standing. But.. you already lose the moment you throw away all the advantages you had on me."
A small curve form on the side of my lips.
"For example this long sword, sticking out from my arm"
Bring my left arm up, I pull the sword out. The gushing blood is just a distraction.
"Just because I don't use weapon. That doesn't mean I don't know how. Infact I can confidently said, sword play is my second best"
Locking eyes on my opponent. I went in for one last attack.
This time without a trouble.
As the last match concluded. No soul even dare to questions how I end up winning, just a long silence by the crowd.
I really shouldn't had pull the sword out. Now I feels a bit dizzy from the blood lost, but it alright I already patch my arm.
Shortly after I was handed the prize for winning the tournament, yet that was not what I was really after.
Standing in the middle of the arena, the crowds slowly disappear one by one. Then, two people, covered in masks with identical uniforms, approached me, handing me an envelope.
Taking the envelope from their hand, I remove the wax sealing and inside, is the very thing I was waiting for.
My invitation to the organisation.